So we are ready for that fantastic trip. We called our bank to say we would be overseas, rechecked all our passwords and hid them somewhere, stopped the paper, rechecked tickets and passports for the nth time. What now can possibly go wrong?

The most common mistakes are so easy to make!

You don’t separate out the small change you will need for a taxi or airport food. Then you pull out a wad from your money belt, and drop some of it.…

This past week I was in Atlanta. Totally surprised at how terrific a city Atlanta has become by the way. Amazing food (JCT was one restaurant we loved), even more amazing the skyline with new artsy districts. At the airport returning home, here is what happened:

There were few empty seats, no room to plug in a phone. 3 seats held backpacks and plastic bags of bakery items, but were otherwise unoccupied for 30+ minutes. One seat was next to the power outlet.…

At home I cannot afford every impulse purchase. In India I can ruffle through gorgeous silk jackets, scarves, textiles, jewelry never feeling out-priced. Some of the swag costs as little as a $dollar like the ten pack sequinned pens I gave friends. …

The scene in Havana this morning was deeply poignant for us who remember Castro at the UN, then Castro reviled. If you were old enough, you also remember practicing at school for a nuclear attack, crouching under school desks. In NY we wore dog tags with our name, address, age and religion like combattants in war.

If you are of a certain age, you will remember when Vietnam was our enemy, China, a mysterious megalith, South Africa hateful, Colombia dangerous, and Cuba inhumane.…

Why is it that the French are thinner than Americans, but enjoy wine, cheese, butter, bread? (In case you did not know, I was was a Vice President at a major French bank for 2 years and on many occasions ate with my colleagues. Yes they also dieted, but they eat differently from us).

Again yesterday we spoke with a traveler who repeated: my friends cannot make up their minds or they are dead. Why is it that women are indecisive while still wanting travel?

We believe it is because we are used to our nests; flying out is scary. Travel like fitness is a learned skill; the more you do it, the easier it is. If you have not traveled in 5 years, here is a practice set for you:

Stop reading headlines. Get informed and look at US, Canadian, UK and Australian government announcements.…

Women sometimes tell us they want to book a trip and sorely need a vacation, but have an ill husband or family member at home. They feel uncomfortable about leaving a needy person but know their own health and fitness matter equally. Travel insurance will protect trip money as long as you take it out within 21 days of your deposit. It will protect $ even if you have an ill relative at the time you purchase it. Cover the full trip cost + pay for the insurance on time then breathe easily.…

Paris has the most glorious Christmas trees in both stores and public spaces, 19c carousels, skating rinks, and lighted icons like the Eiffel tower and The Louvre.Stop by Galeries Lafayette for the 90 foot tree hanging from its stained glass ceiling or the Pyramid at the Louvre?…